TECUMSEH — The Tecumseh school district was well-represented Jan. 17 at the annual Michigan Music Conference. Not only did the high school symphony orchestra perform, but director Amy Marr was chosen as the Michigan orchestra teacher of the year.

"It was amazing. I knew I was a finalist, but when they announced it, it was just great," Marr said.

The state is divided into 16 music districts, she said, and each district chooses a finalist. Those candidates are whittled down to three and all of the music and orchestra teachers vote. Marr was up against a teacher from Grand Rapids and another who had recently retired.

The annual three-day Michigan Music Conference in Grand Rapids has clinics, concerts and presentations to help music educators with professional development. The Tecumseh High School Symphony Orchestra was one of three performers. The other two are from Ann Arbor schools.

The high school symphony has 43 members; the entire symphony program, consisting of grades five through 12, has 350 members. Marr, who came to Tecumseh nine years ago, said the performance and the honor show how far the program has come since it was established 10 years ago.

"Eleven years ago we didn't even have a program," she said. "To come this far is just amazing."

Marr said the Jan. 17 performance took place at the DeVos Center in Grand Rapids, the same place the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra performs. She said several of the other conference attendees told her they were impressed with how well the Tecumseh orchestra played.

"It really went well. This was the best these kids have ever played," Marr said. "When they walked into the auditorium and saw the double balcony, they got excited. It was a great performance and a great experience for them."

The panel of judges who selected performers for the MMC Concert included representatives from the Michigan Band and Orchestra Association, the Michigan Music Educators Association and the Michigan chapter of the American String Teachers Association.

The orchestra does not have time to rest on its laurels. Marr said they are preparing for the orchestra festival in March and for a special concert in April. They will be performing with cellist Mike Block and guitarist Clay Ross.

"Mike Block is the guy Yo-Yo Ma calls when he wants to tour," Marr said. "It is going to be a great show. We are going to be busy."